Melinda Hancock

MELINDA (LINDA) HANCOCK, age 72, of Sugar Land, Texas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. Linda was a person of deep faith and commitment to the Lord, an extraordinary mother, wife and friend.

She was born April 23, 1939, in Russellville, Alabama. Orphaned at an early age, Linda was adopted by James and Kathryn Wade of Clanton, Alabama. Linda adored her parents and often boasted that she never once felt anything but loved as their eldest child. Linda is survived by her husband of thirty years, John Butler Hancock; daughter, Kimberly Dow; sons, James Johnson Dow, Jr. and Wade Dow; and grandsons, Preston and Blake, all of the Houston area. She is also survived by her sister, Julie Howson of Tucker, Georgia; brother, Jim Wade Jr., and his wife Susan of Carlsbad, CA; and numerous other loving relatives and many many friends.

Linda attended Vanderbilt and the University of Alabama, and moved to Texas in the early 1960s to work for the Institute of Behavioral Medicine at Memorial Herman SW Hospital until her retirement in 1990. The love of her life was John (Butler to his older friends, but always “John” to Linda). The two moved to Fort Bend County in 1983 and quickly became community leaders throughout the County. John and Linda have been active members of Sugar Land First United Methodist Church and previously attended Grace Presbyterian Church in Houston for many years.

Linda was a Fort Bend legend. Since 2000, Linda has worked tirelessly for Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2008. The Houston Chronicle honored Linda as one of their “Faces in the Crowd.”

Linda was also a two-time President of the Fort Bend Republican Women’s Club, and that club’s Woman of the Year during two other years. Active with the Greater Houston Council of Federated Republican Women, she served as Deputy President and District Director of the Texas Federation of Republican Women. In 2003, Linda was voted one of the Federation’s Ten Outstanding Women.

In 1995, then-Governor Bush named Linda a “Yellow Rose of Texas” for her dedication to the party and for her leadership in the community. Linda was also the inaugural recipient of the Fort Bend County Judge James Adolphus Award for outstanding service to the party and the community.

As a Campaign Manager or Advisor in Fort Bend County, State and Federal political races, Linda regularly helped to deliver victories for her candidates, including George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Rick Perry, and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson. In addition, Linda chaired the Headquarters for the Fort Bend Republican Party for four terms.

Linda also received the 2011 Volunteer of the Year, Senatorial District 18, award from the State of Texas Republican Party and members of the Executive Committee, recognizing her lifetime commitment to her community and her party.

Linda was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, and was a proud member of a Houston Choral group for many years. She served on the board and was an advisor to Imperial Performing Arts of Sugar Land since that group’s inception in 2007.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, February 24, 2012, at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land (Williams Trace Exit).

After a private interment, a Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 25, 2012, at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, with Senior Pastor Martin Nicholas and the Rev. Phil Grose presiding.

The family wishes to thank all of the friends and groups of friends that have been so supportive and have prayed for Linda’s recovery, her peace and comfort. “Thank you for being so caring and generous.”